Former IPL president Lalit Modi recently took to
Modi said the players needed time with their families and the well-being of the players should be paramount.
Furthermore, he added that the board of directors should be composed mainly of former players and should have a professional general manager.
Lalit Modi responds to NDTV report
In his post, Modi was responding to a report by NDTV, which said that Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir was unhappy with the BCCI over the team’s tight schedule.
The final of IPL 2026 is currently scheduled for May 31, although the venue of the final has not been confirmed. As things stand, just six days later i.e. on June 6, India is scheduled to play Afghanistan in a one-off Test match at Mullanpur.
With such a close proximity to the IPL final, it is very likely that certain senior players will be rested for the Afghanistan match.
Lalit Modi said the BCCI was “killing its players” with this “hectic schedule” and the board need not worry about money.
India’s recent infighting and the need for downtime
Over the last two years, India have struggled at home in Test cricket. India were whitewashed by New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa in 2025 at home. In such circumstances, the decision to rest veteran players, even against Afghanistan, has come under scrutiny. The match against Afghanistan will not be part of the World Test Championship.
These results have raised doubts among fans and experts alike as to whether coach Gambhir is really fit for the job, at least in red-ball cricket.
Whitewashes at home have also jeopardized India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final. Following the loss to New Zealand in 2024, India lost the Border-Gavaskar trophy to Australia that same year and missed out on qualifying for the WTC final in 2025.
In January this year, India Test captain Shubman Gill had asked the BCCI to organize a 15-day preparatory camp before each Test series.
Also Read: IPL 2026 Points Table: Updated Standings, Orange Cap, Purple Cap After LSG vs RR Match 32
‘Get a heart and soul’ – Lalit Modi to BCCI
Lalit Modi went on to say that the BCCI should keep players’ self-development at the heart of the organization and stop treating players as “mules”.
He also said the board should pay players high salaries and work on managing their human resources. He also urged the BCCI to put in ‘heart and soul’ and work towards improving the fans’ experience at the stadium.
Read Lalit Modi’s tweet here:
I agree. The bcci is killing its players with such a hectic schedule. Guys, stop this outrageous programming you’re subjecting kids to. They need time with their families and ONLY FREE TIME. You don’t need money. I CREATE ANNUITY Income that the world envies. You… https://t.co/vkYYXa3kf6
– Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) April 22, 2026